Beneath that Matala moon (and sun)

Greyrocks' first couple of hours in Crete were like a caricature of Greek life: loud, crowded, hot and completely disorganised with no information being willingly offered!! The disembarkation process made the previous evening's loading look efficient. It was the worst we have known and there have been some bad ones! First - having been required to relinquish cabins at about 5.30 - passengers were held largely in the reception area for ages before anyone was allowed down to the garages. Our boredom was relieved by meeting Valeria, who was a rep for Kosmar and then Sunvil down in Paleo and had tales of being stranded on the Peloponnese. Then eventually we went to our (upper) deck, where Yvette was jammed between juggernauts, so we waited and waited on the staircase for some air, were passed by former Paleo neighbours Poppi and Manolis, and finally hit dry land at about 8 am and in daylight! What a performance!

We now had a long day and a night ahead of us in Chania before heading off to Matala. First we went to the private clinic to arrange a blood test for Bob. They did the test almost immediately, so we went to find the launderette we had seen on the internet and got the washing done quickly and cheaply in relay with breakfast in a very pleasant coffee shop. In driving to our hotel near the Nea Hora we tangled with the Thursday street market, but were given a good room early and had a chance to unwind and get a grip on life. We then had a day on the beach including lunch as ever at Akrogiali, a good swim in the sea (first since September), took a cab to get the test results (another tortuous process involving inter-staff disputes), watched the aftermath of a huge Greek-American wedding, and ate at the Red Bicycle.

We were to stay four nights in Matala , and our host Natasa had suggested we get there early to be allowed past the road blocks, which we duly did and were given the best room in the hotel - possibly by mistake over identity! As we walked round we realised that amongst the numerous sponsors was Amstel. We saw the huge brand inflatable in the car park and within hours it had fallen over! As Ruth sat outside the hotel and Bob stowed the shopping she was hailed, and it was Barry, Jenny and twins from Paleo (formerly at Calypso). So that was a few hours at The Mermaid (not Joni's original)! They were in fact the only Paleo Pals we saw all weekend, although some were there somewhere! It was sad and bizarre also not to have spent some time with the Kalives Krew! We had been in touch with Judy, who said they would not be there - in part in response to Barry's passing in the autumn!

Whoops!

So we were largely making our own decisions about activities for the weekend.The programme had some tempting spots, some to avoid, and some clashes. There was little arranged for the daytime, so we had long light lunches - including a big welcome at Antonio's-, bought a shirt and some ear-rings from a stall (not many this year) and people-watched! Maybe slightly down on numbers overall - but still not a place for the claustrophobic!









Music we enjoyed:

• Carl Axon: thumping rock - great cajon from Nick - had to miss a lot to go to:
• Locomondo - Greek UB40 - not as impressed as last time
• Riders on the Storm - sound Doors tribute but some classics missing from set
• The Dragons - Greek rock
• MC2 -Joni M tribute - talented but some missing numbers!

and some we didn't:

Missing something?

There is no escape from Tonis Sfinos! As his performance time approached the Greeks surrounded us in our premium viewing spot and with noise, smoke and lack of personal space awareness gave us a message we didn't need! We stuck it out to the end of the set preceding and got out! As has become apparent over the years he is adored! Well, they are welcome to him! Rising late on Monday we watched the demolition of festival trappings, bought a throw for the Paleo sofa in a charming shop (copious tsikoudia and a free gift) and generally wound down, looking forward to a quiet evening. We told this to Natasa who said something like: "Oh no! There is more - a special treat - the Sfinos is playing in the Square!" And indeed he was - in front of this special wall art! We tried again, but there is a limit!